Well packer and packing element supporting members therefor



June 30, 1970 c. WILLIAMS 3,517,742

WELL PAC/KER AND PACKING ELEMENT SUPPORTING MEMBERS THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1969 INYEALTOR. Paaz-er C. W/LL/AM! Arne/var United States Patent 3,517,742 WELL PACKER AND PACKING ELEMENT SUPPORTING MEMBERS THEREFOR Robert C. Williams, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 1, 1969, Ser. No. 811,924 Int. Cl. E21b 33/129 US. Cl. 166-134 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to well packers. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to improved packing element support members for use on well packers.

Well packers are used in well bores to plug the well bore entirely or to form an annular seal between the wall of the well bore and a pipe extending therethrough. In most instances, the well packer includes a mandrel that extends through the packer and about which, an annular deformable packing element is mounted. Slips or similar anchoring devices are located on the packer so that the packer can be positioned in the well bore where desired.

Some difliculty has been encountered in prior known well packers in preventing extrusion of the deformable packing element axially along the annular space between the exterior of the packer and the wall of the well bore. To alleviate this problem, annular support members of various configurations have been located on the packer adjacent the ends of the packing element.

With such support members, difficulty has been encountered in providing a continuous support for the packing element when packing element is deformed to form a fluid-tight seal between the exterior thereof and the well bore wall. The difficulty occurs since the support members must be constructed so that they will increase in diameter to span the annular space between the packer and well bore wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an improved support for the packing elements of well packers and the like wherein the packing element comprises a generally cylindrical body of deformable material. The support means includes a deformable annular body arranged to be mounted on the packer and having a base portion and a wall portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced convolutions. Upon deformation, the wall portion provides a continuous support for the packing element.

In another aspect, this invention provides an improved packer for use in well bores and the like including a mandrel, anchoring means on the mandrel and a deformable packing element. An annular support member of deformable material is located between the anchoring means and packing element encircling the mandrel. The annular support member includes a convoluted wall portion and is arranged to form a continuous support for 3,517,742 Patented June 30, 1970 ice the packing element upon deformation of the packing element and support member.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting member for packing elements of packers wherein a continuous support is provided for the packing element upon deformation of the packing element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved packer for use in well bores that includes a pack ing element support member that effectively prevents extrusion of the packing element.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a well packer constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, top plan view of a support member utilized in the well packer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the support member taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the packer of FIG. 1, showing the packing element and support member in the unset condition.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the packing element and support member deformed upon setting the packer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein and generally designated by the reference character 10 is a packer assembly constructed in accordance with the invention. The packer assembly 10* is generally known in the oil field art as a bridge plug.

The packer assembly 10 includes a mandrel 12 having a plugged upper end 14. It will be understood that the plug in the upper end 14 may be located in the mandrel 12 in any desired position. For example, the closure or plug is sometime located at the lower end of the mandrel 12.

In the packer assembly 10, the upper end of the mandrel 12 is connected with an inner member 16 of a setting mechanism. The setting mechanism is not illustrated in detail, but is well known in the art and also includes an outer setting sleeve 18 that is slidable relative to the inner member 16.

Disposed in encircling relationship to the mandrel 12 is an upper anchor mechanism 20 that includes a plurality of toothed slips 22. Each of the slips 22 has an inner tapered surface 24.

The upper anchor mechanism 20 also includes an expander member 26 having an upwardly and inwardly tapering surface 28 that mates with the inner tapered surfaces 24 on the slips 22. The slips 22 and the expander 26 are movable on the mandrel 12 and movable relative toeach other. The movement therebetween moves the slips 22 radially outwardly relative to the mandrel 12.

The packer assembly 10 also includes a lower anchor mechanism 30 that comprises a plurality of toothed slips 32. Each of the slips 32 has a tapered inner surface 34.

The lower anchor mechanism also includes an expander having a downwardly and inwardly tapered surface 38 mating with the surfaces 34 on the slips 32. The slips 32 and expander 36 are slidably mounted on the mandrel 12 and are movable relative to each other. Movement between the slips 32 and the expander 36 with the surfaces 34 and 38 in engagement moves the slips 32 radially outwardly relative to the mandrel 12.

Various means, such as pins 37 and 39, are provided to retain the various components of packer assembly 10 in their running-in positions and to control the relative 3 movement of the components. It is well known also to utilize sheer pins (not shown) having different shear values to provide for the retention of and to control the time of movement of the slips and expanders, relative to the mandrel and relative to each other.

Disposed between the upper and lower anchor mechanisms 20 and 30, respectively, is a packing element 40. The packing element 40 includes a generally cylindrical body 42 having tapered upper and lower ends 44 and 46. The body 42 is formed from a deformable material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber or other suitable material.

The packer assembly also includes upper and lower annular support assemblies 50. The support assemblies 50 are identically constructed, although inverted relative to each other when assembled on the packer 10. The support assemblies 50 each include a tapered inner surface 52 that is in engagement with a respective one of the tapered ends 44 and 46 of the packing element 40.

Each of the support assemblies 50 includes a deformable support member 54 (see FIG. 3). The support members 54 include a base portion 56 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and a Wall portion 58 that extends, at least to some extent, along the outer periphery of the support assemblies 50'. The wall portion 58 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced convolutions 60.

The support member 54 is nested within an annular cup-shaped support member 62 that is also disposed in encircling relationship on the mandrel 12. The member 62 is also preferably formed from a deformable material as was the support member 54.

A second annular cup-shaped support member 64 receives the member 62 in nesting relationship. The use of the members 62 and 64 is optional since they serve only to provide additional support for the support member 54.

The support members 54, 62 and 64 are disposed or encapsulated in an annular member 66 having the surface 52 thereon. It will be noted that a base surface 68 of the annular member 66 is disposed in juxtaposition with one end of the expander 26 and 36. The annular member 66 is formed of a plastic or other deformable material, but it need not be capable of forming a seal with the well bore wall.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To place the packer assembly 10 in use, the packer assembly is connected to the setting mechanism which is connected with a wireline (not shown). The assembly is then lowered into a casing 70 that is disposed in a well bore (not shown). Upon reaching the desired depth in the well bore for setting the packer assembly 10, the setting device is actuated, pulling the inner member 16 upwardly and simultaneously lowering the outer sleeve 18.

As previously mentioned, the mandrel 12 is connected with the inner member 16 so that the mandrel 12 moves upwardly therewith. The outer sleeve 18, through the mandrel lock sleeve 18 forces the upper slips downwardly relative to the upper expander 26. The relative movement between the upper slips 22 and expander 26 moves the slips 22 radially outwardly until the teeth thereon holdingly engage the casing 70.

The upward movement of the mandrel 12 moves the lower end thereof upwardly, carrying the lower slips 32, the lower expander 36 and the packing element 40 upwardly against the upper expander 26. The relative movement between the lower expander 36 and upper expander 26 applies a force on both support assemblies 50 as well as on both ends of the packing element 40. The force applied deforms the packing element 40 outwardly into sealing engagement with the casing 70 and deforms the assem blies 50. The upward movement of the lower expander 36 continues until the packing element 40 and assemblies 50 are deformed as shown in FIG. 5. The upward movement also causes the slips 32 to move relative to the lower expander 36.

Relative movement between the lower slips 32 and lower expander 36 moves the lower slips radially outwardly into holding engagement with the casing 70. At this time, the packer assembly 10 is securely locked against movement in the casing 70.

FIG. 5 illustrates in more detail, the deformed condition of the packing element 40 and one of the support assemblies 50 after the packer assemby 10 has been set. As shown in FIG. 5, deformation of the packing element 40 and the support assembly 50 has been accomplished by the movement of the upper and lower expanders 26 and 36 relatively together. The generally triangular-shaped support assembly 50 has been substantially deformed so that the outer edge of the wall portion has been moved toward the casing 70. Such movement occurs due to the spreading of the corrugations 60. Also, it will be noted that the support members 62 and 64 have flattened. As the support members 54, 62 and 64 flatten, they extend radially outwardly toward the inner wall of the casing 70 spanning the annular space between the exterior of the expanders 26 and 36 and the casing 70. The expansion of the corrugations 60 permits the member 54 to flatten radially outwardly toward the casing 70, forming a continuous support for the ends of the packing element 40.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the corrugated or convoluted support members 54 provide a packing. element support having no discontinuities or separations when deformed. Furthermore, the support members 50, due to the convolutions 60, can be constructed with a ufficiently long wall portion 58 so that it can be deformed to span a relatively large annular space between the packer assembly 10 and the casing 70.

The embodiment described hereinbefore is presented by way of example only and it will be understood that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclufive property or privilege is claimed are defined as folows:

1. Supporting means for use in combination with a deformable packing element in a well packer or the like, said supporting means comprising an annular support member arranged to encircle the well packer, said support member having a base portion and a Wall portion, said wall portion having circumferentially spaced convolutions; and, said annular support member providing a continuous support for the packingelement upon deformation of the packing element and support member during the setting of the well packer.

2. The supporting means of claim 1 and also including a deformable annular cup-shaped member disposed in nested relationship with said annular support member on the packer, said cup-shaped member supporting said annular support member upon setting of the packer.

- 3. The supporting means of claim 2 and also including a deformable annular member encapsulating said annular support member and said cup-shaped member.

4. The supporting means of claim 3 and also including a second deformable annular cup-shaped member disposed in nested relationship with said annular support member and first-mentioned cup-shaped member, said second cup-shaped member supporting said annular support member and first-mentioned cup-shaped member upon settingof the packer.

5. In a packer for use in a well bore or the like: a mandrel extending through the packer; anchoring means encircling said mandrel; a deformable packing element encircling said mandrel;

and,

supporting means encircling said mandrel between said packing element and anchoring means, said supporting means including a deformable annular member having a first surface abutting said packing element and a second surface abutting said anchoring means, and

an annular support member located in said annular member said annular support member having a base adjacent said anchoring means and a wall portion extending generally toward said packing element, said wall portion having circumferentially spaced convolutions therein, said annular support member extending upon deformation of said packing element to provide a continuous support therefor.

6. In the packer of claim 5 and also including a deformable, annular cup-shaped member disposed in nested relationshiup with said annular support member.

7. In the packer of claim 6 wherein:

said anchoring means includes upper and lower slips and expanders located adjacent opposite ends of said packing elements; and,

said supporting means is disposed between said upper expander and packing element and between said lower expander and packing element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Long et a1. 277188 Lane 277116.2 Baker 277116.2 Clark 277116.2 Urbanosky 166-435 Current 166-134 Crow et al 277-116.2 X

15 DAVID H. BROWN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

